Dragon Ball Z Uncensored

[Spamdini]

Reel Zombies
Canada
****1/2
http://www.fantasiafest.com/2009/en/films/film_detail.php?id=76

The writer, director and producers of Zombie Night 1 & 2 (these are actual movies and these are the actual creators) want to make a new movie. Only now zombies are ACTUALLY roaming the Earth. Undaunted, the film crew decides to have a go at it and use real zombies in their movie along with the human actors. With a bunch of redneck professional zombie catchers as added security, they hire a friend to film a documentary to use for the eventual press release of this masterpiece. And so begins the mockumentary of their quest to make Zombie Night 3.

This movie is brilliant in that it perfectly combines the fantastical problems (flesh eating zombies as actors and aggressors) along with the very realistic ones (lousy actors, terrible writing and no budget). It's all seamless as one scene will show a shirtless bearded kook explaining the fine points of zombie capturing and the next will have the creators shaking their heads as the writer/director tries to make a really cool car explosion while trying not to kill himself. This is all done in a way that makes it seem like this could be real. Ultimately, zombies are the main roadblock in making Zombie Night 3 (and ultimately surviving the experience), but also provides an entertaining look into what goes into making a low budget horror.

I've never seen Zombie Night 1 or 2 (the creators were there for Q&A and even they said they sucked out loud), but Reel Zombies is extremely clever, executed perfectly and a heck of a lot of fun. So far, my favorite movie of a fairly weak year for this festival.
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[Spamdini]

Dammit Stefan, what did you think of Dead Snow?!
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[SuperPsaturn]

Roger Ebert reviewed Dead Snow (I think it got 2 1/2 stars) but none of these other movies.

[Spamdini]

He's clearly not watching the right movies.
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[Spamdini]

Edison and Leo
Canada
***
http://www.fantasiafest.com/2009/en/films/film_detail.php?id=142

A scientist named George T. Edison loves inventing and stealing priceless objects. His two loves lead to a set of circumstances that lead to his wife's demise and to his son Leo becoming an electric boy. Ten years later, Leo learns about his father's sins and his older brother schemes to take over his father's compound.

Canada's first Claymation movie. Huzzah! It was generally likeable, if not particularly spectacular. The animation was decent enough and the voice acting was quite passable. One of the odd things about the movie was its gore. For most part, the movie is about as tame as a Tim Burton animation and would appeal to all ages. However, a couple scenes get overly violent with blood everywhere and one scene that's overtly sexual. Makes you wonder who they're aiming for because this isn't really an adult-oriented animation in the usual sense. Then again, maybe it's fine they opted for a nice fairy tale story instead of the usual pee-pee ca-ca jokes.
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[bitter gigatron]

I watched final battle of Dead Snow is on Youtube and found it pretty entertaining. Although, I did find it weird that some zombies could take several hacks from a chainsaw and still were able to shamble around until a deathblow while others would "die" from a kick to the face. Whatever I guess. It's trying to be Planet Terror but fails because the directors are Swedes or wahtever. Whatever.

[Spamdini]

You Might as Well Live
Canada
****
http://www.fantasiafest.com/2009/en/films/film_detail.php?id=253

Robert Mutt is a loser and alleged douchebag who decides he's going to end it all. Of course, he fails at killing himself so he ends up in a mental hospital instead. Upon his release, he decides to become a somebody and goes on a quest to fulfill his goals. Except he's an idiot and a loser so comedy arises.

The main character is a lot like Napoleon Dynamite, except funny. The jokes aren't just based around him being awkward, but more about him being completely oblivious and falling into ridiculous situations. These situations are often extremely funny at that! It's even cute in it's own way as Robert Mutt is an extremely likable character considering he's a suicidal dork. Michael Madsen guest stars as famous Canadian baseball champ Clinton Manitoba.
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[Spamdini]

Troll 2
USA
*****
http://www.fantasiafest.com/2009/en/films/film_detail.php?id=83

Vegetarian goblins try to kill a family, and young Joshua must stop them with help from his dead grandfather.

Hailed as one of the worst movies of all time, it really does live up to its name by being truly awful on every front. Terrible acting, terrible (often nonsensical) writing, terrible costumes, terrible cinematography, just terrible everything. Heck, there aren't even any trolls in the movie! But unlike the intentional trash of, say, a Troma film, Troll 2 is incredibly enjoyable in its awfulness. It's incredibly hard not to laugh at pretty much every scene, which in itself makes it incredibly special compared to all sorts of garbage movies churned out over the years. I don't think I can really do the movie justice just by talking about it. Go onto Amazon and buy Troll 1 + 2 on DVD for about $10.
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[Fagzilla]

Our Troll 2 was banned.

[Sporkism]

NILBOG
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@}-,-'- *~*~* Member of the FTU Elegant Tea Party Society *~*~* -'-,-{@

[Sporkism]

Spamdini, if you're interested in watching the REAL worst movie ever, track down Legend of the Rollerblade Seven.
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@}-,-'- *~*~* Member of the FTU Elegant Tea Party Society *~*~* -'-,-{@

[Spamdini]

Is it available on DVD?
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[Derek Payne]

Such a powerful film.

[Spamdini]

Best Worst Movie
USA
****
http://www.fantasiafest.com/2009/en/films/film_detail.php?id=55

A documentary about Troll 2, its cult success and the lives of those unfortunate enough to have been involved in the shooting. In particular, there is great focus on George Hardy, a dentist whose one acting role was the father in Troll 2.

Directed by the guy who played the heroic kid Joshua, the charm of Best Worst Movie is provided by Hardy who comes off as about as sincere and upbeat a man that there can be. Humor is provided by the director, an overly serious Italian who considers Troll 2 to be a true work of art, and by the actress who played the mother who has become an agoraphobic nutjob who cares for her doddering mother and thinks she can still cut an acting career. There are other entertaining characters as well, ranging from the relatively normal to the psychotic (one minor actor talks about how he used to want to ring the kid's neck in the movie). Hardy's journeys to different screenings of the movies, as well as various conventions, show him to be as likable as any fictional protagonist. A very entertaining look through those touched by this very odd movie, but watch Troll 2 first.
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[Magic Juan]

I saw Best Worst Movie first, and I should have done the opposite. The documentary was really uplifting though. George Hardy is just such a good guy! He also makes fun of everyone at a Horror convention.

[YES]

Guys, I know I don't usually contribute anything useful, but I would like to change that

*fat dump on thread*

[Spamdini]

Genius Party Beyond
Japan
*
http://www.fantasiafest.com/2009/en/films/film_detail.php?id=10

A follow up to Genius Party, a collection of short films put together by the anime Studio 4°C that played at last year's Fantasia. A mix of comedic, artistic and experimental anime films with varying styles in animation.

Unlike last year however, this edition uniformly sucked. Only one of the five animes was watchable, let alone good. The rest were utter trash that entertained no one and bored all. In fact, the final of these was such a nonsensical and plodding affair that I walked out of the theater. I was told by friends who watched it that it only got worse after I departed. Only the second short, Moondrive, was of any value and was in fact rather entertaining in of itself. However, definitely not worth the other hour of garbage that came attached to it.

3 for 3 for Japan this year. I have learned my lesson. No Japanese movies whatsoever next year!

The short anime movie Cencoroll was played just before Genius Party Beyond. Though it fit the theme, this was not done by Studio 4°C and as such it was a separate film. This wasn't too shabby, but was buried under the rest of the crap. ** 1/2 for Cencoroll
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[Spamdini]

Trick 'r Treat
USA/Canada
*** 1/2
http://www.fantasiafest.com/2009/en/films/film_detail.php?id=92

A mix of Tales From the Crypt and Sin City/Pulp Fiction as 4 horror stories intertwine in the same small town on the same Halloween night. This is a town known for its love of Halloween and for strict adherence to Halloween traditions. Stray from these traditions, and terrible things may happen to you!

A wonderful little horror movie that never really ceases to entertain. The four stories don't really need to play off each other and sometimes it seems a tad forced when they reference each other. The continued presence of Sam, a creepy child with a burlap pumpkin mask, makes for a great theme and I just love the character as he's used in the final of the four stories. Adorable, creepy and cool! Two of the tales are spectacular, and while the other two are a little more lackluster they make up for it with big endings. From reviews I've read it may be a tad overhyped, but this is great viewing for anyone who loves their classic-style horror.
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[Spamdini]

The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia
USA
**** 1/2
http://www.fantasiafest.com/2009/en/films/film_detail.php?id=95

A camera crew follows the exploits of the legendary Whites, West Virginia's most infamous family. Included in this family is Jesco White, the subject of White Lightnin' which I reviewed earlier. The viewer gets to know this extended family tree and is taken through their journey of boozin', doing every drug that's given to them, fighting, killing and spawning new members into their massive clan. The best part is that these activities are uniform over three generations of Whites, with a grandmother taking her two daughters out for drinks and cocaine after one daughter's kid was taken away by child services and the other daughter's son received a 50-year sentence for blowing a man's face off and then getting into a shootout with the police.

Matthew Outland, if you need more fuel for your rants then look no further. I don't know whether to laugh or feel disgusted by the actions of these very unique and bizarre individuals. It's clear that the White family has collectively chosen not to take part in North American society (save one who fled to Minnesota) and instead live their own lifestyle and White culture as they see fit. The fact that these people exist, as much as it may hurt the brain, makes for a damn entertaining ride. Sadly the soundtrack of Hasil Adkins music that was present in White Lightnin' is replaced with more traditional hillbilly fare, including Hank Williams III who is interviewed and plays a song for Jesco to dance away to. Really strange and so so compelling.
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[Spamdini]

All in all, I thought it was a good year. The Japanese films were the definite lowlight, but eliminate them and almost everything I saw was great to excellent. Canada in particular cleaned up.

My only regret, aside from adding Hells to my list at the last minute, is that I missed Breathless which was supposed to be the best film of the year. It's a lofty claim, but Korean movies at Fantasia are usually among the best and I did not see a single one this year. I also regret not seeing Ip Man, but that will probably show up on DVD.

Love Exposure was disappointing, but at least now I can say I saw a 4-hour film! No need to see Lawrence of Arabia anymore!

Troll 2 was exactly the type of garbage movie that comes along once in a blue moon. I already added it to my collection.

Another year of fantastic documentaries. The ones I saw were great last year and just as good this year. Even got a spectacular mokumentary!

The public prizes (as voted by the fans) had Love Exposure winning best Asian movie and Most Innovative Film. Goes to show that people have no taste. And if length is innovative, Das Boot is probably sore that it isn't considered the most innovative film of all time.

The closing film of the festival was the premiere of Inglorious Basterds. I did not see it because a) it was playing the at the same time as THe WIld and Wonderful White of West Virigina which I just had to see, and b) it sold out in about an hour. They wouldn't even allow cell phones to be brought inside the theatre, which is a tad extreme but whatever. Something to add to Fantasia's resume when trying to draw big acts in the future.

The Fantasia premiere for Stefan "Magic Juan" Perrier! I'd like to hear your takes on Troll 2, Best Worst Movie and You Might as Well Live. As for the rest of you, you'd better show up next year!
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